President

“Tamara is passionate about partnering with successful leaders who have a desire to maximize their full potential, achieve remarkable results, and make a difference in the lives of those they lead. She spent the majority of her career leading HR and OD functions for organizations in San Diego and the SF Bay Area. Currently, she is the CEO of SD Leadership Institute where she and her team of coaches, facilitators and trainers help leaders and their teams achieve optimal results through executive coaching, individual and team assessments (360s, Predictive Index, DISC, EQ-i 2.0, and Conflict Style Indicator), customized leadership acumen curriculum, and team interventions/off-site retreats. Tamara earned her MS in Executive Leadership at USD and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Organizational Behavior from USF. She completed her coaching certification at Hudson Institute of Coaching and obtained her Master Certified Coach (MCC) credential through the International Coach Federation. She is also a Board Certified Coach and a certified Senior Professional in HR. She enjoys spending time with friends and hanging out at home or at the beach with her husband and three furkids. She is delighted to serve as President for SDHR Forum, and looks forward to continuing to support the HR community in meaningful ways.”

President-Elect

Angelica Gamble-Wong
Vice President of People and Culture – Harrah's Resort Southern California

"Angelica Gamble-Wong joined Harrah's Resort Southern California in 2019. Before that she served at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute in 2018 as their Vice President, Human Resources. Previously she was with Rubio’s Restaurants, where she started as Vice President of People Services, and then was promoted to their Sr. Vice President of People Services. Prior to that, Angelica has lead the human resources function in startup, fast growth and turnaround environments in a variety of industries including manufacturing, production and finance.Angelica earned her bachelor’s degree in social ecology from the University of California, Irvine, where she graduated cum laude. She received her MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles. In 2017, her company was awarded the Outstanding Transformation Award by Ceridian for their Dayforce Human Capital Management system implementation. In the same year, the Rubio’s People Services Team was a finalist for the San Diego HR Team of the Year Award, and she was awarded the San Diego HR Executive of the Year by the San Diego HR Forum. She has spoken to business leaders about the importance and benefits of strategic human resources as a competitive advantage, and has been published on various topics including developing HR business strategies which evolve and adapt to new business environments. Currently Angelica is waging the battle of trying to find balance between the job she loves, her amazing family, and a largely neglected gym membership. When she’s not wrapped up in all things HR, she’s wrapped up in the arms of her three kids, two dogs and a husband who knows when it’s time to greet her at the door with a glass of wine.”

Contact: agamblewong@sbpdiscovery.org

4.2.5

Past President

Dena Ayala
President & CEO – Talent Spark Consulting

"Dena Ayala is friendly, forward thinking and incredibly driven. She has served on SDHRF’s board for 3 years and has been an active member for over 8 years. She is currently leading one of the strongest boards we have seen, filled with talented professionals aiming to make a difference in our HR community. This year the major focus is to continue to expand services to our members and create our first Executive of the Year event. In her career, Dena has gained 18 years’ experience in the recruiting industry. She is the President and CEO of SRC, a national recruiting and executive search group that has been operating since 1990. SRC is one of Southern California’s fastest growing firms of 2016, with 7 total offices in San Diego, Orange County & Los Angeles. Her true priority in life is her wonderful family of 9, including her husband John, their 6 kids and dog Ali (a 3 year old boxer named after Muhammed Ali ). She enjoys SUP (stand up paddle boarding), yoga, reading, HH with friends, and recently purchased a power boat to enjoy summers cruising around Mission Bay and Long Beach."

Contact:dena@talentsparkconsulting.com

4.2.5

Director, Finance

"Monty Bell is a collaborative leader with 20 years of Executive level HR experience and 10 years as a CFO/COO. Monty currently leads a fantastic team of HR, HRIS, IT, Safety & Risk, and Payroll experts at CP Global, a multistate manufacturing company with international sales channels, as their Director of Human Resources & Risk Management. A passionate and engaging broad-based "out of the box" Leader with extensive experience in Human Resources, Risk Management, Coaching, Organizational Development, and Finance. Monty’s passion is using analytics to drive key organizational changes through its talent. Accustomed to leading large teams in challenging circumstances, Monty serves as the Business Liaison for the San Diego County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). In his spare time he serves as a volunteer and instructor for the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and Sheriff’s Search and Rescue."

Director, EOY Event

Sallie Giblin
President & Partner – Lockton Insurance Brokers

"Sallie is the President and partner with Lockton’s Southern California Benefits Practice. She is a member of both the Lockton Pacific Series Executive Committee and National Employee Benefits Executive Committee. Sallie began with Lockton in September 2006 and is committed to providing the best service and resources in the industry to her clients. Sallie specializes in plan design development, alternative funding, compliance and employee benefit administration. She has more than 17 years of experience in the areas of Alternative Finance Arrangements with a special emphasis on self-funding; Managed Care and Consumerism Models, Financial Structures and Communication Strategies, Cafeteria and Flexible Benefit Design and Executions; Objectives and Strategic Development for Benefits as a component of Total Rewards models; Population, Wellness and Disease Management Integration; Financial Plan Management and Modeling; and Flexible Defined Contribution Plans.

On
a personal level, Sallie has been married to her #1 fan for 20+ years,
is a mom of 2 teens making their way to adulthood, has a German Shepherd
named Blu
and loves living in Encinitas."

Director, Communication

James HilgesenBusiness Development – homePERQs

“James Hilgesen is a native San Diegan and proud alumnus of San Diego State University where he graduated with a BS in Communications. He is the head of business development/owner of homePERQs, inc., a fast growing company that has created a new business model in the mortgage and real estate field helping employees of companies reach their goal of home ownership through professional education programs. James is a motivated business leader who focuses on B2B partnerships and is an engaging public speaker, passionate about giving back to the human resource community. James has a goal to enhance the way organizations think about their company culture through providing better educational resources for their employees. After volunteering for two years on the SDHR Forums membership committee, James is ecstatic to serve as the Director of Membership enhancing the experience for existing members and recruiting the right new group of HR professionals to join SDHR Forum.”

Director, Membership

Laura Martella has more than 20 years progressive experiences in business operations and as an HR professional. Over her career, she has provided strategic HR management and leadership at small to mid-sized and large companies in Los Angeles and San Diego, California. Her diverse industry experience includes transportation, publishing, technology and is currently director, leadership development for San Diego Zoo, previously director human resources at Safari Park. Ms. Martella has expertise in employee relations, talent acquisition, affirmative action, compensation and benefits, performance management and workers’ compensation. She received her bachelor’s degree at University of Phoenix and her Master’s from University of San Diego. Ms. Martella is also a certified SHRM-SCP and CPBA. She is currently an instructor at UCSD Extension Studies.

Contact:lmartella@outlook.com

4.2.5

4.2.5

4.2.5

Director, Professional Development

Chrisa Mott
Human Resources Executive –Thermo Fisher Scientific

"Chrisa Mott is a passionate professional with extensive experience in Human Resources across a variety of companies and HR functions ranging from multi-national corporations to companies just getting started. She is currently a member of the Thermo Fisher Scientific HR team, however, has held roles in various HR functions including HR Business Partner, Talent Management, Talent Acquisition and overseeing the overall HR function. Chrisa is energized by the possibilities of enabling business performance through talent and culture. Chrisa holds a Masters degree in Organization Psychology and in her spare time, Chrisa loves to exercise, travel, spend time with her family and friends and volunteer in her community."

Director, Programs

Janice Rougas has over 20 years’ experience developing people, employee culture, and HR infrastructure. During her career, she has provided strategic HR leadership at small to mid-sized companies in San Diego. Her diverse industry experience includes both for profit and non-profit in the museum, biotech, environmental services, and high-tech R&D sectors. Janice has expertise in Employee Relations, Talent Acquisition, Affirmative Action, Compensation & Benefits, Performance Management and Risk Management.

Janice received both her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and her MBA from San Diego State University. She currently holds the SPHR certification and SHRM-SCP certification. Additionally, Janice serves as a board member for San Diego Human Resources Forum and is an instructor for UC San Diego Extension.

Contact:jrougas@museumofman.org

4.2.5

Director, Member Services

Christine Y. ChangSr. Talent Acquisition Manager – Supplypro

“Christine has more than 13
years of experience as a corporate, technical and contract recruiter, helping
companies in San Diego and beyond in hiring the right talent. She started her
career as a CPA and had her own CPA firm where she helped emerging companies
succeed in business. Now she brings that technical, business and financial
background to help companies hire the best talent in a competitive market as a
corporate recruiter. Christine
co-founded San Diego Women in Finance in 2011 and sits on the board of the
organization."

Director, Legal Education

Brooke TabshouriAssociate Attorney – Duane Morris LLP

"Brooke B. Tabshouri is an attorney with Duane Morris LLP and practices in the area of employment and labor law. Brooke defends employers and management in all stages of single plaintiff and class action litigation, at state and federal level, against claims of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage and hour violations and trade secrets theft. Brooke has extensive experience counseling and advising clients in employment law issues, drafting employment policies and handbook, and providing employee training, including required harassment training for managers in California. She also has significant employment litigation experience, including jury trial experience. Brooke is a 2011 graduate of Boston University School of Law and a graduate of the University of California, Davis. Prior to joining Duane Morris, she worked at a national labor and employment law firm, as an instructor at San Diego State University's human resources certificate program and as a research attorney for the Hon. Richard D. Huffman of the Fourth District Court of Appeal. "

Director, Sponsorship

Dolores Ordas, MSA, SPHR-SCPHuman Resources Executive

"Dolores is an
energetic, bilingual in English and Spanish, performance-minded Human Resources
Executive with over 25 years of experience and a proven track record of directing
and leading all aspects of HR. Dolores won the HR Professional of the Year in
2008.She has been nominated and has
achieved the medallion winner Workplace Excellence award by SHRM.She was also nominated to the Athena Pinnacle
Award for being a woman of influence.Dolores has led organizations that were considered the BEST places to
work in their respective industry.Focus
on creating strategic initiatives and tactical programs to support global and
domestic initiatives through teams in multi-site and multi-state
locations.Dolores
has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Catholic University
and a Master’s degree from Central Michigan University in Human Resources
Management. A native of Puerto Rico, Dolores moved to the United States
in the 1991 after marrying a surfer dude. She has a college bound
daughter.Dolores’ educational
background; energy and enthusiasm, work experience and bilingual/bicultural
background has proven to be a huge asset to companies’ strategic growth, as
well as a great co-chair to the sponsorship committee.In her spare time Dolores loves Stand Up Paddle
boarding, Horseback riding and truly enjoy wellness activities."